Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Virgins are at it again.

More apologies for the delay in posting comments and answering Emails but The Net has been down yet again in my little corner of the planet - thank you Mr Branson - not!
(I've been told that planets do not have corners unless you're a member of the FES so I'll change it to 'neck of the woods'.)
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Good news, however, is that subscribers to Jazz Journal International are now receiving their copies of the re-launched publication and selected shops should soon have theirs - watch this space.
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More good news - RUTH LAMBERT struts her stuff at the Highfield Hotel, East Rainton, this Sunday (May 10). Paul Edis and Andy Champion complete the triumverate. The bad news is that, after this gig, the jazz sessions at the venue will be monthly (last Sunday in the month). So please show your support - you did it for Tony K and Julian S - do it for Ruth, Paul and Andy. And it's free...
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Mention of Ruth prompts me to draw attention to last night's rehearsal/recital by Ruth and the Customs House Big Band at the New Crown in South Shields. The eternal teenageric Ruth was in fine voice - her smoky take on "Black Coffee" is up there with Peggy's whilst "Mambo Italiano" was inspired by George's Auntie Rosemary.
As for the big band, if you get the chance, cast an ear to their workout on an arrangement of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band's "High Maintenance" - a groover was how CHBB's leader Peter Morgan described it - he was right! Next New Crown session Tuesday June 2 (I think).
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I've got a soft spot for vocal groups - The Boswell Sisters, The Andrews Sisters, The Four Freshmen, The Mills Brothers and Manhattan Transfer...Click here for their version of "Blue Champagne".
Lance.
PS: Liz might like this (see comments).
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3 comments :

Liz said...

Loved that " Blue Champagne" Lance,I had forgotten how good Manhattan Transfer was. The Ink Spots were another great vocal group & a fave of mine. I recently got to thinking about Les Paul & Mary Ford, my dad & I used to listen to them "How High the Moon" springs to mind.
Liz

Wednesday, May 06, 2009 11:35:00 pm
Lance said...

Les Paul is, I believe, still performing live age 94.

Thursday, May 07, 2009 1:10:00 am
Liz said...

Thanks for the memory, as Mr Hope used to say..How unique was that Lance? and innovative at that time.
Liz

Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:10:00 am

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